KataklysmMeditations

Canadian melodic death metal titans Kataklysm are set to unleash their fourteenth album Meditations. After almost thirty years of regular album releases, Kataklysm have turned their gaze inwards and the result is a menacing catharsis of life lessons, bones to pick, and words of wisdom.

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In Meditations’ most intriguing moments, anger turns to torment in dramatic tracks such as In Limbic Resonance and The Last Breath I’ll Take Is Yours.  Introducing creative rhythmic work and a dissonant atmosphere, it lends a darker touch to Kataklysm’s familiar sound. Their seismic shifts in approach are felt in immersive, stately tracks like Narcissist, laden with monastic chant and tangible earthiness. Final track Achilles Heel culminates in melodic, atmospheric grandeur.

With cleaner production than recent releases and a more intrinsically-oriented atmosphere, Kataklysm are drifting off from their earlier speed-blasting aggression towards their darker melodic side.

Overall, the outlet of bottled-up rage on Meditations isn’t a complete overhaul of Kataklysm’s sound. The opening tracks Guillotine and Outsiders embody their classic death metal assault, while heavy mid-pace hitters like Born To Kill and Destined To Die bring back some signature Kataklysm thrashy-death blend with memorable melodies.

Themes of exile, revenge, isolation, and lingering sense of darkness render Meditations a very heartfelt offering from Kataklysm. With cleaner production than recent releases and a more intrinsically-oriented atmosphere, Kataklysm are drifting off from their earlier speed-blasting aggression towards their darker melodic side. There’s enough for fans from all eras of the band to make it one of their most profound releases of recent years.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Narcissist, In Limbic Resonance, Achilles Heel
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Hypocrisy, Immolation, Carcass